Thursday, October 23, 2014

I've been talking about it for months - Disney on Ice coming to the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA (Northern Virginia/DC Metro area). I may be a boy to two boys, but we all love Frozen and knowing this was coming to town, I jumped on the chance to take my family.

The four of us headed out for an early dinner and made our way to the Patriot Center with plenty of time. I highly recommend aiming to arrive at least 60 minutes prior to showtime to allow time for parking - it took us about 30 minutes! When we finally got inside, we were overwhelmed with Princesses - so many little girls and even a few kids at heart - were dressed as Anna, Elsa, and even Olaf! The food stands were selling all types of food and the merchandise tables were overflowing with lighted displays of toys, dolls, and too many other trinkets that had my boys watching for a good long while!

I will admit - we've definitely come home from these events with a lot of.... stuff... but this time, we held strong and said no! If you are planning, the prices ranged from $14-$40.

The show started by having some of the cast come out to pump up the crowd - shortly into the warm up, they introduced the 'hosts' of tonight's show - Mickey and Minnie Mouse!! After skating around, and talking, for a few minutes, they brought out some friends: Goofy, Donald, Ariel and Prince Eric, Snow White and Prince Charming, Buzz and Woody, even Timon and Pumba!

After the wonderful introduction, the show began - just as you would expect... Sven, Kristoff, and ice. Then, young Elsa and Anna played, sang, built a snowman, and skated. The lighting was not conducive to my camera skills, so it was difficult to get all the best shots, but I wanted to share some!

We met all of the characters to expect in Frozen - Elsa and Anna, obviously, Hans, Sven, Kristoff, Olaf - but even the Duke of Weaseltown, trolls, wolves...

The story is just about exactly what you would expect - a few minor changes to fit the stage and a shorter time, but it was fantastic!

Disney on Ice: Frozen is visually stunning - the choreography is even stronger than in the previous Disney on Ice show that I attended last fall. The story line is stronger, yes, but it's the colors, sets, lights - the show is so incredibly vibrant! My husband, being the boy, said that Marvel Universe Live! had more fun pyrotechnics and was more exciting, but I enjoyed the bits of flash, snow, and beauty that Disney on Ice: Frozen offered!

It's probably completely sold out, even with the extra shows - but if you get the chance, definitely go! This show was so much fun - I wish my boys had more energy to really enjoy it as much as I did!

I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Welcome to those of you joining me from Rolling with the Magic and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

When the topic of Disney Legends first came up for this month's Magical Blogorail Blue, I immediately jumped to one that has always stuck with me - Francis Xavier Atencio. X Atencio, as he is most well known, started working at Disney as an animator, where he worked on one of my favorites, Fantasia!

In 1965, Walt asked X to work for Imagineering, then known as WED Enterprises, to assist on some Disneyland projects, specifically, the Primeval World diorama. Walt tapped into X's "untapped hidden talents" by asking him to write music - X Atencio, the man who started his career as an animator, wrote Yo-Ho, the song from Pirates of the Caribbean!

I love how Disney honors the Disney Legends, with little mementos throughout the parks. Take those infamous epitaphs over at the Haunted Mansion - those are based on the Imagineers that helped create the attraction!

X Atencio not only helped with the theming of the Haunted Mansion, but he can even be heard in two separate places - once coming out of the grave "get me out of here" and at the end of the attraction, leading you where to go! Also, his musical skills can also be heard in the attraction, as he co-wrote Grim Grinning Ghosts, the song heard throughout the attraction!

Many of the Imagineers have specially dedicated Windows along Main Street, U.S.A. Francis Xavier Atencio has a Window of Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland!

The Musical Quill

Lyrics and Librettos

by X. Atencio

For more uncovered tombstone, windows, and trivia, check out my section on trivia! And for more Disney Legends, continue on with this month's Magical Blogorail Blue!

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is My Pixie Dust Diary.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

Due to high demand new show time now added to original Patriot Center schedule

[FAIRFAX, VA., October 15, 2014] – Feld Entertainment, Inc., the worldwide leader in family entertainment, announces that its 34thDisney On Ice spectacular will bring to life the Academy Award®-winning and number one animated feature film of all time, Disney’s Frozen, in Fairfax October 22 – 27 at Patriot Center.

Tickets are on sale now for all 13 shows, including a show on Monday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m.– an addition to the previously announced Fairfax schedule.

The Academy Award® winning tale will be told live for the first time in this production, capturing the dynamic between two royal sisters, Anna and Elsa. Anna, a girl with an extraordinary heart, embarks on an epic journey to find her sister, the magical Elsa, who is determined to remain secluded as she finally feels free to test the limits of her powers. Rugged mountain man Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, the lovable and hilarious snowman Olaf and the mystical trolls help Anna along the way in this story about love conquering fear. Audiences will get to sing along with such musical masterpieces as “Let it Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper.”

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 75 countries and on six continents to date and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, NuclearCowboyz®, AMSOIL Arenacross, Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and Marvel Universe LIVE! More information on Feld Entertainment is available online at www.feldentertainment.com.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Disney on Ice: Frozen!

Coming to the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA later this month! I have my tickets and I know that the show has been so popular that they've added multiple shows from the original plans!

We saw a commercial for it on television the other day and both of my boys went gaga and begged to go see it. What they don't know is that we have 4 tickets ready to go! Bedtimes will not be followed that night, but I think we'll survive!

We are so excited to see this show - are you?

**I am a Feld Family Ambassador and receive complimentary tickets in exchange for posts and honest reviews**

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

THE LARGEST,
SINGLE PEDIATRIC WALK IN THE U.S.
- 2014 CHOC “WALK IN THE PARK” -
STEPS OUT AT DISNEYLAND RESORT ON OCTOBER 12, 2014

The event is
the biggest annual fundraising effort for CHOC Children’s, devoted to meeting the medical needs of children
throughout Southern California and beyond

ORANGE,
Calif. (Sept. 26, 2014) – As the twilight skies of early morning give way to
daybreak on Sunday, October 12, 2014, one of the most famous thoroughfares in
the world will become the starting point for an impressive procession of joy,
thanks, remembrance and giving. Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park in
Anaheim, California, will be filled with thousands of people coming together in
support of Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children’s) and the health and
well-being of children near and far.

CHOC
“Walk in the Park,” presented by Disneyland Resort, is the largest and most
unique single pediatric walk event in the nation. Among the event’s estimated 15,000 walkers are participants from across the
U.S. and around the world, including walkers from Canada, Mexico, Australia and
South Korea.

“CHOC
Walkers” come together to celebrate the lives of children saved by CHOC
Children’s, and to honor the memory of those children who bravely
lost their battle against serious disease or illness. Nearly 800 teams are
expected, and include current and former patients and families, as well as
doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Last year’s
event raised $2.1 million, and since its inception 24 years ago in 1990, the
Walk has raised more than $22 million.

The
2014 walk covers three miles through Disneyland Park and Disney California
Adventure Park where “CHOC Walkers” get a special peek at the magic of the
Disneyland Resort before the parks open to the general public. At the end of
the 5k walk, the event continues in the resort’s
Downtown Disney District where event sponsors, hospital support groups, shops
and restaurants have special offers for Walk participants.

“It’s
spectacular to see thousands of people line Main Street, U.S.A. on an early
Sunday morning to take steps – literally – in support of CHOC Children’s
mission and vision,” said Kimberly Chavalas Cripe, president and CEO, CHOC
Children’s. “Participants from diverse backgrounds, including individuals,
school teams and corporations, are joined together by a common bond. It’s a
unique experience – thanks so much to our dear friends at the Disneyland Resort,
and the tremendous show of support of our sponsors is a tribute to our
community. This year’s event is
particularly special, as our hospital celebrates our 50th
anniversary.”

- more -

Page 2 – Press Release / 2014 CHOC Walk

“The Disneyland Resort has been a proud supporter of
Children’s Hospital Orange County for the past 50 years,” said Michael
Colglazier, president of the Disneyland Resort. “CHOC ‘Walk in the Park’ is a
very special event for our Cast Members, and we look forward to hosting it for
the 13th straight year.”

The popular event is the biggest
annual fundraising effort for CHOC Children’s, a regional pediatric health care
system (serving children and families in Southern California and beyond) that
includes two hospitals, many primary and specialty care clinics, and four
clinical centers of excellence –the
CHOC Children’s
Heart, Neuroscience, Orthopaedic and Hyundai Cancer Institutes. Monies raised
support a variety of patient and family programs, as well as education,
research and the development and adoption of the latest technologies to advance
the health of patients at CHOC Children’s.

In order to help CHOC reach its goal
of providing quality healthcare to the region’s two million children
(and beyond), CHOC Walkers must raise a minimum of $50 to participate in the
Walk. Everyone can register at www.chocwalk.org and receive
up-to-date event information from the CHOC Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.

About CHOC Children’s

Named one of the best children’s
hospitals by U.S. News & World Report (2014-2015), CHOC Children's is
exclusively committed to the health and well-being of children through clinical
expertise, advocacy, outreach and research that brings advanced treatment to
pediatric patients. Affiliated with the University of California, Irvine, CHOC’s
regional healthcare network includes two state-of-the-art hospitals in Orange
and Mission Viejo, many primary and specialty care clinics, a pediatric
residency program, and four clinical centers of excellence - The CHOC Children’s
Heart, Neuroscience, Orthopaedic and Hyundai Cancer Institutes